Mould Recommendation for a .357 Magnum

[Racer X]

I am new to casting and am ready to buy my first mould. I will be casting for my 6" SS GP-100 with .358" throats and a .356" groove diameter. I will be shooting mid to top-end loads using 357 brass.

I would like recommendations on what cast bullet has proven to be a consistently accurate shooter. Also, should I get a gas-check design, or can I get great accuracy with plain base?

[GLL]

For a start take a quick look at these !

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=104864

http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=105077&highlight=358156

I would start with the BRP 360640 ! Order a 4-cavity..2GC+2PB !!!!!

Jerry

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

And here:
http://castboolits.gunloads.com/showthread.php?t=105204

What do you plan on shooting these at? Paper? Critters?

Plain base should handle most everything you load for in a handgun, as long as everything is "right" (right size, alloy, lube, powder . . .)

[FISH4BUGS]

Lyman 358156gc - the best all around bullet made for the 357 in my opinion. I also have a Lee group buy 358156 plain base that is nice for light loads in my 38 and 357. They might even work up to almost magnum velocities.
This is a tough one - everyone will chime in with their favorite choice.....and there are many. Kind of like asking what is your faviroite restaurant.

[garym1a2]

I like the gas checked 158 lee semiwad cutter. You don't have to use the gas checks. It's a good paper killer.

[GLL]

The BRP360640 & the Mihec 359640 mentioned by Shawn are both the 45 2.1 design and to me the best .357Magnum/.38Special bullet choice available !

Jerry

[timkelley]

358156 plain base if you can find it or gas check if you can't.

[PacMan]

I would say all good answers.I had good accuarcy with the RCBS 158 SWC,just would not feed in my Marlin like i wanted.
If you decide on the MIHEC 359640 i have a very little used brass mold the i will sell.Has the round HP pins as well as the FN pins.

I have settled on the LBT design and molds for my 3- .357mags.

Dwight

[BOOM BOOM]

HI,
Very many have found good results with with the 158-160 gr. bullets.
It does depend on what your planned use of the bullet is on the design.
THE SWC HAS PROVED OVER MANY YEARS OF USE A GOOD ALL AROUND CHOICE.
Bullet fit to gun is v. important.
Check out the swapping & selling section here before you buy new.
Jerry Lister has taken more than 100 deer with the 158 gr SWC design, if that is the use you had in mind.:Fire::Fire:

[Jack Stanley]

When I was running high velocity stuff the 358156 did really well for me too .

Jack

[MtGun44]

Lyman 358477, 359429, RCBS 38-150-KT (now 38-150-SWC) or Lee 358-158-RF all work
very well for me from .38 Spl up to max velocity.

Bill

[Three-Fifty-Seven]

Well ...

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnVT/Guns/3596402.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnVT/Guns/359640RoundHPinWater3.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s220/ShawnVT/3596403.jpg

[quilbilly]

I have been satistied with the Lee 158 swc-gc but the pleasant surprise was the Lee 150 rn I discovered at a garage sale for $5. I don't load it hot in my 357 but it has been my most accurate out of the Taurus at an MV of 1050 fps with Unique.

[Bret4207]

Lyman 358156GC is simply THE standard 357 Mag boolit. I've never seen a gun it didn't work in given proper fit and it's good up into the top end area.

[white eagle]

I like the Accurate Molds 36-160b
wanted a good hunting boolit looks like it will serve well

[bhn22]

As mentioned before, it almost all depends on what you want the bullet to be capable of doing when it reaches it's target. After that, the matters of your preferences will come into play, such choices as gaschecks and bullet nose length, pricing & other considerations.

[Boolseye]

don't discount Lee's tumble lube 158gr. SWC. It's a very nice, accurate boolit up into magnum velocities.

[Larry Gibson]

Based on; "I will be casting for my 6" SS GP-100 with .358" throats and a .356" groove diameter. I will be shooting mid to top-end loads using 357 brass."

I've been shooting .357s in 2 1/2" to 10" barrels for many years. My crrent revolvers are a 2 1/2" M19 (my wife thinks it's hers;-( ), a Ruger Security Six with a 6" barrel and a 8.4" barreled Contender. I'm going to suggest 2 moulds; the Lyman 358477 for the mid range loads. It is an old design that has worked well and survived the test of time. I use it for my "midrange range" .357 load over Unique. The 358156, either solid or HP is also my choice for top end .357 loads. I load them to 1400+ fps out of the 6" Ruger and 1600+ fps out of the Contender at close to max SAAMI psi (measured with a M43 Oehler in the Contender).

Both of those bullets will suit your needs much bette than one bullet for everything which is a compromise at everything. I have other .38 moulds but those two are my primary choices for the .357 magnum, neither of which have ever let me down.

Larry Gibson